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Dear Education System, It’S You, Not Me: Burnout In Elementary Special Education Teachers, Bernadette Putman-Bailey
Dear Education System, It’S You, Not Me: Burnout In Elementary Special Education Teachers, Bernadette Putman-Bailey
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
Putman-Bailey, B. (2023). Dear education system, it’s you, not me: Burnout in elementary special education teachers. Burnout is not new to the education system as there seems to be a news article around burnout in the teaching profession and the shortage of teachers nationwide. Minnesota is not immune to this problem, but it is particularly true in special education. Special education teacher positions are the most difficult to recruit and retain for school districts in Minnesota. This research focused on the phenomenon of burnout in elementary special education teachers in urban and suburban areas of Minneapolis. The primary research question …
The Impact Of Universal Learning Strategies On Teacher Burnout In A Project-Based-Learning Secondary School, Benjamin Tuthill
The Impact Of Universal Learning Strategies On Teacher Burnout In A Project-Based-Learning Secondary School, Benjamin Tuthill
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This study addresses the question: how do universal learning strategies impact teacher burnout at a project-based-learning secondary school? Interventions against teacher burnout frequently emphasize psychological strategies such as mindfulness exercises and cognitive-behavioral therapy despite inconsistent evidence that these practices have a significant impact on measurable burnout. This study presents an alternative and explores the impact of pedagogical practice on teacher burnout. Recent studies suggest that decreased workload and increased teacher/student autonomy lead to decreased levels of burnout; as a result, this study measures the impact of universal learning, a low-workload, high-autonomy pedagogy most prominently studied in the work of political …
Finding Fit In The Science Classroom: Applying Self-Determination Theory To Twice-Exceptional Students, John Burrell
Finding Fit In The Science Classroom: Applying Self-Determination Theory To Twice-Exceptional Students, John Burrell
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
In line with self-determination theory (Deci and Ryan, 2000; Ryan and Deci, 2017), this thesis explored how practices employed in a classroom between November 2020 through January 2021 affected satisfaction of students’ basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Thirteen twice-exceptional students (gifted and learning disabled) between grades 4-10 participated in this mixed-methods study at an independent school in the upper midwest. Additionally, four of the thirteen students were selected as case studies to be interviewed and observed throughout the study period. This study explored how the implementation of needs-supportive practices, along with COVID-19 mitigation strategies (including distance-learning), affected …
Minnesota School Forest Program: An Evaluation And Exploration Of Implementations, Madisson Weier
Minnesota School Forest Program: An Evaluation And Exploration Of Implementations, Madisson Weier
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to examine the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources School Forest Program through answering the following questions: what are the strengths and limitations of the School Forest Program; What are the impacts of individual teacher objectives on the utilization and implementation of the School Forest Program? These questions were investigated using data collected from a survey sent to School Forest Coordinators as well as a data request to the Department of Natural Resources. This study found that participants in the School Forest Program feel that their School Forests add many positive benefits to their classrooms …
Do You Have A Learning Disability?: Exploring The Experiences Of Hmong Students With Special Needs In A Public Hmong Charter School, Vang Xiong
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
Special education has been criticized for the practice of over-representing culturally and linguistically diverse students in special education programs. Asian American students appeared to be immune to this problem. However, when the demographics of the Asian racial group are disaggregated into individual Asian ethnic groups, there is evident of disproportionality. The purpose of the study was to explore how a charter school, serving predominantly Hmong students, addresses the issue of disproportionality pertaining to the Hmong population. Through an ethnographic research approach, the researcher engaged in participant-observation, interviewing three tenth-grade, Hmong male students, and five school staff members. The researcher found …
The Relationship Between The Development Of Math Operation Proficiency And Student Confidence, Douglas Elfstrom
The Relationship Between The Development Of Math Operation Proficiency And Student Confidence, Douglas Elfstrom
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question of this study was, What is the relationship between math operation fluency and a student’s confidence and perception of math in general? A multi-faceted intervention was developed to address both students’ multiplication fact proficiency and student confidence, with middle school students in Special Education. Pre and post assessment data was analyzed to determine the effect of this intervention on student fact proficiency and confidence. Findings suggest that students that progressed throughout the intervention period by mastering multiplication fact families also generally had an increase in math confidence. Implications for future work include determining how to improve this …
Using Repeated Oral Assisted Reading To Improve The Fluency Of Students With Learning Disabilities, Angela J. Leyk
Using Repeated Oral Assisted Reading To Improve The Fluency Of Students With Learning Disabilities, Angela J. Leyk
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This study explores the research question: How much does repeated reading improve the reading rate, accuracy, and prosody of students with learning disabilities in fifth grade? Three key topics: learning disabilities, fluency, and repeated reading are discussed. The author was greatly influenced by Timothy Rasinski and his work in the area of fluency. Repeated Oral Assisted Reading was administered to monitor and document accuracy, rate, and prosody utilizing both daily instructional-level reading probes and monthly grade-level reading probes as well as prosodic reading rubrics and a daily journal. The improvement in rate was compared to scores on nationally normed fluency …
Teaching Outside To Engage Student Learning, Juliane T. Chapman
Teaching Outside To Engage Student Learning, Juliane T. Chapman
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
I conducted action research as a way to focus on how teaching outdoors benefits students in special education. This action research answer the question, “Does teaching academic subjects outdoors help Level IV special education students with increased attention, active engagement, and decreased negative behaviors?”. It used hands on learning in the outdoor environment to measure students engagement in their own learning. Students did activities in several instructional areas including science, math, reading, and social skills. Both teachers and students were interviewed at the end of the study to obtain results. Teaching academic subjects in an outdoor setting does have a …
Culturally Responsive Grammar: Utilizing Contrastive Grammar Analysis To Support Knowledge Of Modern Dialects In The High School Classroom, Katie Corrigan
Culturally Responsive Grammar: Utilizing Contrastive Grammar Analysis To Support Knowledge Of Modern Dialects In The High School Classroom, Katie Corrigan
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
Varying dialects are spoken depending on the speaker’s location and community. While each one of these dialects has very clear patterns and rules, only one dialect, Standard American English, is regarded as “correct grammar” according to academic and professional associations. For this reason, students learn the rules of Standard American English in school. However, this practice leaves students who speak other dialects at a significant disadvantage. This capstone addresses this dichotomy by providing curriculum that includes grammar instruction using a contrastive approach. Students are simultaneously taught grammatical rules in both Standard American English and African American Vernacular English in order …
Applied Behavioral Analysis Therapy And Social Interactions Within Families And Their Child With Autism, Christina Latterner
Applied Behavioral Analysis Therapy And Social Interactions Within Families And Their Child With Autism, Christina Latterner
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this research study was to answer the question, in what ways does ABA therapy impact social interactions between the parents and their child with autism? It also addresses past studies which focused on autism, ABA therapy and the family dynamics with a special needs child. The research included one family, with a five-year old child diagnosed with autism. Mixed method research was used, focusing on interviews with parents and data collection. Interviews were conducted with the mother and father which focused on their family’s social interactions before, during and after one year of therapy. Data collection tools …
Equitable Identification Of El Students For Special Education By All Teachers, Hanna Winkelman
Equitable Identification Of El Students For Special Education By All Teachers, Hanna Winkelman
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project is: How do teachers refer EL students for special education services and how can the process be more equitable for students? The motivating factor for this research was one teacher’s frustration in referring EL students for special education services at a large urban school. The teacher felt as though the process was disorganized, inequitable and did not support EL students with the highest needs. The author interviews ESL, special education teachers and a bilingual educational assistant at one urban school to identify their perspective of the process and frustrations that arise from it. …
A Descriptive Study Of Implementing Tiered Systematic Phonics Intervention Through The Colorado Read Act, Geoffrey H. Stokes
A Descriptive Study Of Implementing Tiered Systematic Phonics Intervention Through The Colorado Read Act, Geoffrey H. Stokes
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question explored in this capstone was, how might I aid schools and districts in implementing district-wide systematic phonics intervention, both instructionally and organizationally? It documents Denver Public Schools (DPS) efforts to implement the READ act, a comprehensive law in which all students are evaluated in reading and assigned intervention if needed. The capstone explores how DPS can implement tiered systematic phonics intervention as part of the READ act. The paper reviews the most current peer reviewed research regarding the efficacy of phonics intervention. Using the methodology of a descriptive study, the capstone lays out a detailed logistical proposal …
Best Practices For Co-Teaching Literacy In The Secondary Language Arts Classroom, Anne Robenhorst
Best Practices For Co-Teaching Literacy In The Secondary Language Arts Classroom, Anne Robenhorst
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to investigate the best practices for co-teaching literacy in the secondary language arts classroom. Participants of the study included 34 tenth grade students in a co-taught English class who completed anonymous questionnaires, and two language arts teachers, one special education teacher and one assistant principal were interviewed. Qualitative data was gathered regarding academic grades and state testing scores in the area of reading. The student survey feedback indicated positive perceptions related to the co-taught environment, primarily increased writing skills. Teacher interviews highlighted the most effective co-teaching models and stressed the importance of strong administrative …
Exploring Career Development Curricula And Experience Of Secondary Transition Students With Intellectual Disabilities: Interviews With Students And Teachers, Anthony Oliver Dosen
Exploring Career Development Curricula And Experience Of Secondary Transition Students With Intellectual Disabilities: Interviews With Students And Teachers, Anthony Oliver Dosen
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project was: what kind of job-searching and vocational development skills are being taught to secondary transition students with intellectual disabilities in major American transition programs? The purpose was to determine possible reasons why the employment gap for students with intellectual disabilities remains high following graduation from secondary programs. This qualitative study synthesized past and current research in the fields of job development, customized employment, disability services, and transition education along with detailed, semistructured interviews with current transition students with intellectual disabilities and transition teachers. The author identifies three main themes that emerged from the …
Differentiation For All Learners: Applying Theory And Practice So All Children Reach Their Potential, Kathryn Elizabeth Kreitzer
Differentiation For All Learners: Applying Theory And Practice So All Children Reach Their Potential, Kathryn Elizabeth Kreitzer
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
Teachers in classrooms today are challenged with students with a ride range of abilities necessitating differentiation in the classroom. Faced with increasingly heterogeneous populations of students, including the mainstreaming of special education students, teachers are challenged to develop curricula that is matched to students’ abilities. This project focused on how to adapt state mandated grade level content to multiple instructional levels. Included in this project is a differentiated unit on the American Revolution based on Minnesota fifth grade standards. The unit is differentiated to first grade, third grade and fifth grade reading and writing levels. This project demonstrates how teachers …
Educator Perceptions Of The Disproportionate Experience Of African Americans In Special Education, John Palen Geske
Educator Perceptions Of The Disproportionate Experience Of African Americans In Special Education, John Palen Geske
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this capstone is, what are educators’ perceptions of the causes of the disproportionate experience of African Americans in special education? In this study, the author examines educators’ beliefs about two existing racial trends in special education. The first is the over-identification of African American students as candidates in need of special education. The second part of the disproportionate experience is that African American students tend to make less growth than their White peers once receiving services. In this research, the author provides a historical synthesis of the extensive record of disproportionality literature. The capstone includes …
Using A Therapeutic Music Curriculum To Improve The Social And Academic Skills Of Students With Optic Nerve Hypoplasia/Septo Optic Dysplasia, Kimberly Kay Wooster
Using A Therapeutic Music Curriculum To Improve The Social And Academic Skills Of Students With Optic Nerve Hypoplasia/Septo Optic Dysplasia, Kimberly Kay Wooster
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This paper addresses the possibility of improving the academic and social outcomes of students with optic nerve hypoplasia/septo optic dysplasia through the use of a therapeutic music curriculum. Students with these conditions are born with blind or with visual challenges and in the case of septo optic dysplasia are also born with behavioral and physical challenges, including austistic-like traits. By exploring the literature and research available in the use of therapeutic music in improving the academic and social outcomes of young students with autism, I was encouraged to create a therapeutic music curriculum to implement in classrooms from K-3rd grade …
The Academic And Psychological Effects Of Teaching Students With Learning Disabilities To Solve Problems Using Cognitive And Metacognitive Strategies, Holly Andersen
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research conduced in this study addressed the question: what are the academic and psychological effects of teaching students with learning disabilities to solve word problems using cognitive and metacognitive strategies? During the study, metacognitive and cognitive strategies are employed by a teacher in her middle school math class composed of students with various disabilities. It included using a prescribed method to approach each word problem presented, followed by reflection questions that tracked students’ growth in self-confidence. The researcher documents the exact methods used and utilizes related research literature as a basis for this study. She reflects on the both …
English Language Learners And Learning Disabilities, Erin Elizabeth Logan
English Language Learners And Learning Disabilities, Erin Elizabeth Logan
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this capstone was, How do educators decipher whether a student is experiencing the typical language acquisition process or if they have a learning disability? This capstone provides research from current educators’ knowledge around understanding and identifying potential learning disabilities in English language learners. In order to address the gaps in knowledge that were identified, professional development and scholarly articles were collected and presented to school administration to distribute and make recommendations around professional development opportunities for staff.
An Equitable And Culturally Responsive Examination Of The Identification Practices Of English Learners For Special Education In A Suburban East Metro District, Brandon Michael Auge
An Equitable And Culturally Responsive Examination Of The Identification Practices Of English Learners For Special Education In A Suburban East Metro District, Brandon Michael Auge
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This study examined the complex dynamic that exists between language difference and language disability for English learners in an east metro suburban school district. Understanding the learning profile of these learners and matching them to programming is an enormous challenge for schools throughout the United States. Understanding the limit of traditional metrics and supplementing them with culturally and linguistically responsive supports is essential when making programming decisions for English learners. An understanding of supports and metrics designed to elicit the more enigmatic aspects of these learners’ profiles is crucial when considering English learners for special eduction programming. This thesis explores …
Creating Meaningful Consequences That School Districts Can Implement While Staying In Compliance With State Law, Federal Law And School Discipline Policies, Jesse R. Lavalla
Creating Meaningful Consequences That School Districts Can Implement While Staying In Compliance With State Law, Federal Law And School Discipline Policies, Jesse R. Lavalla
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This mixed method study explores literature that tries to answer the question: How are schools currently using meaningful consequences that are effective and compliant with state laws, federal laws and district discipline policies for students receiving special education services? The paper looks at special education due process and what educators should do to change unwanted behavior that may exclude the student from their educational environment. It also looks at how schools are still responsible to provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). While exploring the literature the paper also explains a research project that includes three different schools that belong …
Journey To Inclusion: A School’S Perspective From Self-Contained Ecse Classrooms To Inclusive Preschool Programs, Allison Marie Hirsch
Journey To Inclusion: A School’S Perspective From Self-Contained Ecse Classrooms To Inclusive Preschool Programs, Allison Marie Hirsch
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project was, How can a school effectively transition from a self-contained Early Childhood Special Education classroom to a full inclusion preschool program? What I have done in this capstone is set out with the objective of defining what is a successful inclusive preschool program, what are the best strategies for these programs, the benefits and barriers to the programs and how to best implement these programs into a school setting. This study details questions and answers from parents and teachers who are currently part of a full-inclusion preschool program.
How Attachment Style Correlates To Symptoms Of Burnout For Direct Care Staff In A Company That Serves People With Developmental And/Or Intellectual Disabilities, Shantel Lee Pickar
How Attachment Style Correlates To Symptoms Of Burnout For Direct Care Staff In A Company That Serves People With Developmental And/Or Intellectual Disabilities, Shantel Lee Pickar
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study is to find if adult attachment style is correlated to depersonalization, lowered sense of accomplishment, and/or emotional exhaustion for direct-care employees and supervisors in one company that serves people with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. A thorough review of literature was completed on this topic as well as a voluntary, unpaid employee survey which determined propensity for burnout as well as attachment style. Data was gathered and analyzed and results are shared in the context of this study.
English Language Learners On The Autism Spectrum: Identifying Gaps In Learning, Jennifer Suzanne Reppond
English Language Learners On The Autism Spectrum: Identifying Gaps In Learning, Jennifer Suzanne Reppond
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This research project reports on questionnaire survey answers that Special Education (SPED) educators, English as second language (ESL) educators, and a speech language pathologist (SLP) currently working in the classroom, on school campuses, and private practices, gave as being a part of this study. Their answers sought to uncover gaps in the environment that might lead to unsuccessful execution of a cross-educational learning environment for the English language learner (ELL) with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD); highlights encompass where the educators felt gaps existed and where these gaps could be bridged for a better, more successful learning outcome. This project …
Coordinating Collaboration For An Ell / Special Education Student, Cynthia Ann Graham
Coordinating Collaboration For An Ell / Special Education Student, Cynthia Ann Graham
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This paper explores a business model called Four Disciplines of Execution to help create collaboration between ESL and different departments that dually service two children. A case study was used to collect information through pre and post questionnaire in an addition to weekly progress data. The teachers used the Four Discipline of Execution to guide the collaboration through finding a common goal for the dually serviced student, assigning each teacher an objective toward that goal, keeping a scoreboard to watch progress and holding each teacher accountable to the agreed upon goal.
Complex Social Skills: Tools For Assessment And Progress Monitoring, Samantha Gail Jung
Complex Social Skills: Tools For Assessment And Progress Monitoring, Samantha Gail Jung
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this progect was, how do I measure and evaluate the learning of complex social skills, in multiple environments, for students with autism and developmental disabilities? It documents the educator’s research into autism, social skills, and evidence based learning strategies. The educator used the research to develop a plan to create a versatile tool to assess students needs related to complex social skills. Tools that can be used with a wide variety of students and gather data in multiple environments.
The Use Of One-To-One Ipad Technology And Its Impact On Students Receiving Special Education Services Work Completion And Grades, Angela Jean Brumbaugh
The Use Of One-To-One Ipad Technology And Its Impact On Students Receiving Special Education Services Work Completion And Grades, Angela Jean Brumbaugh
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project was, how does the use of one-to-one iPad technology impact students who receive special education services grades and work completion? It examines and compares the work completion rates and grades of students receiving special education services in the general education setting, both before and after the implementation of the one-to-one iPad initiative. This mixed methods study examines fifteen secondary students’ grades in English, mathematics and social studies the trimester before the iPads introduction and follows the students for the full school year after the introduction to compare their grades and work completion rates. …
The Effectiveness Of Direct Instruction In Increasing English Reading Fluency For Arabic Speaking English Language Learner Students In Qatar: A Research Case Study, Jared Andrew Lorence
The Effectiveness Of Direct Instruction In Increasing English Reading Fluency For Arabic Speaking English Language Learner Students In Qatar: A Research Case Study, Jared Andrew Lorence
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project was, what effect does Direct Instruction reading curriculum have on improving the reading fluency of Arabic speaking, English language middle school students? It documents one teacher’s experience and results using Direct Instruction reading curricula to improve reading fluency and comprehension of Qatari English Learner students. The author provides a literature review of Direct Instruction research and documents the results of his own efforts to increase the reading fluency of his students using Direct Instruction curricula and methods. He concludes that Direct Instruction was ineffective for his students, as it did not significantly improve …